Yellow Wooden Tobacco Container

Lombok tobacco container, commonly found in the western region, is also used for storing betel leaves or medicinal herbs. Betel chewing, often accompanied by tobacco, has long been a significant practice in Lombok, symbolizing hospitality, respect, and communal bonding. The container features a curved base supporting a rectangular body with slightly tapered walls, all adorned with intricate relief decorations of animal motifs. Painted in vibrant commercial colors, its removable lid is topped with a stylized animal-shaped knob, often depicting a frog or a lizard that is believed to possess spiritual power, bringing luck and safety to humans.

Tobacco/Betel Leaf Container, circa 1920
Origin: Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara
Material: Painted Wooden Carving
Dimension: 19 x 11,5 x 7 cm